Because I had a couple of bouts of atrial fibrillation during my bone marrow transplant adventure back in the fall of 2022, I’ve had to follow up with a cardiologist.
It was also recommended that I do a sleep study last spring.
So, today was both my annual cardiology check-in and learning the results of the sleep study.
I’m very happy to report that I’m A-OK on all counts. Yay!
(Well, there’s very mild sleep apnea. Though it’s not enough for the doctor to prescribe anything, I’m taking it as motivation to get serious about beefing up my self-care once again.)
Yesterday in his powerful Sunday service talk, Ananta mentioned a number of things we can do to stay fresh and engaged on the spiritual path.
One suggestion was to sing the chant, “Ever-New Joy,” but instead of the title he exhorted us to, “Sing joy, joy, joy!”
“Ever-New Joy” is one of my all-time favorite chants, but what popped into my mind in that moment was a song from my childhood. I remembered it like this:
I’ve got God’s joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, Down in my heart, down in my heart. I’ve got God’s joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, Down in my heart today!
I hadn’t thought of that song in probably fifty years, so of course I had to look it up. Turns out the correct lyrics are:
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart (where?) Down in my heart, down in my heart. I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart (where?) Down in my heart to stay!
The lyrics go on to express how happy I am that I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart; and I’ve got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart as well.
All in all, it’s a happy song and I’ve enjoyed getting reacquainted with it.
What I didn’t enjoy so much was the search for a video of the song to share. Oh my goodness!
All the videos are geared for children — not surprisingly, since it’s a children’s song — but they were so overproduced, over-the-top and just plain silly as to be unwatchable.
There were animated ones, and awkwardly acted ones, and heavy, agitated drumbeat ones. Unfortunately, they didn’t feel joyful to me, just forced.
But I finally found one that’s sweet (I think), so I hope you enjoy it.
I think I neglected to mention that when they removed the catheter from my chest, I still had to wait another week before I could take a full shower.
It had to do with the fact that the opening where the catheter had been led to my heart, so it had to heal completely before I could allow it to get wet.
But finally the moment arrived. I am soooo grateful and hope I never take hot showers entirely for granted ever again.
The image above is of a central venous catheter (also known as a central line).
This tube was placed in my chest to more easily allow the medical staff access for the stem cell collection, administering chemo, and returning the stem cells to my body. It was also used to give me fluids, platelets, blood, electrolytes, you name it!
Because it was inside me and near my heart (see image below), I had to be very, very careful to keep the dressing clean and dry in order to avoid any possibilty of infection. Which means that I haven’t been able to take a complete, totally carefree shower for six weeks (since August 25).
From this photo you can see why it’s also called a “tunneled catheter.”
I shouldn’t complain, because I learned today that some patients have to have a catheter for up to a year! At any rate, I’m very happy to report that mine came out today — whoohoo!
Lately I’ve had to pay more attention to my physical being; for good and…less than good.
Which I believe is why this quote/photo combination caught my eye on Facebook.
“Have you thought to offer gratitude to the very heart of you, to give thanks to your flesh and bones, your heart and blood, your spirit and your soul for carrying you, for holding you through everything you have met so far.”
Both the words (by Brigit Anna McNeill) and the art (by Taryn Knight) really spoke to me, reminding me that I have so much to be grateful for. 💗
